Castlejordan's Church of the Holy Trinity was packed to capacity yesterday, but the seat where Mr Paddy Logan used to pray, sing, and chat to neighbours and friends over the past 80 years was vacant.
Father Paddy Dillon, the parish priest, said: "It would be difficult to find an occasion when he would not be here, on the left hand side of the altar." This was the church in which Mr Logan was baptised 81 years ago, served as an altar boy, helped to arrange ceremonies for the 1932 Eucharistic Congress, and prayed in as recently as last Sunday, the day before he died in an attack at his home.
Mr Logan's brother, Peter (83), led the mourners. His sister, Alice, was unable to attend due to illness.
Father Dillon described Mr Logan as a gentle, popular man. "We can honesty and truly say about him that he never did a wrong turn to anybody. It is true to say that Jesus Christ did not follow the conventions of the time and I think it's reasonable to say that Paddy went his own way.
"He was a person who was kindness personified. He loved nature. He loved the people. He loved his family, his farm, his relatives and friends."
Addressing the circumstances of Mr Logan's death, Father Dillon said society faced a challenge about treatment of the older generation. In a message directed at young people in the congregation, he said: "Wouldn't it be great in the year 2020, 2030 or 2050, that there would be an Ireland as safe as when Paddy and Peter were children? They would never have locked the door. They would have gone to bed easy at night."
Co-celebrants at the Mass were Father Edmond Flynn, a former parish priest, Father Philip O'Connor and Father Gabriel Flynn, both from the parish of Castlejordan/Ballyinabrackey.
Pupils from the local primary school, St Ciaran's, formed a guard of honour to the neighbouring cemetery where Mr Logan was buried. Hundreds of mourners followed the cortege to the graveyard to say final prayers.
Meanwhile, Garda forensic experts have completed their examination of the scene of Monday's attack, and are continuing to appeal for information. A number of items, including possible weapons used in the attack, have been sent away for technical examination.
It is understood at least two men took part in the aggravated robbery. A third may have driven the car in which they made their escape.
Anyone with information can call the incident room at Edenderry Garda Station at 0405-31290.
